New lease of life for Buckley “eyesore” as flat conversion plans get go-ahead
An ‘eyesore’ building in Buckley could be given a new lease of life now plans to convert it into apartments have been given the go-ahead.
Flintshire Council’s planning department has approved a change of use application for the former electrical supplies shop on Mold Road in the town centre.
The applicants sought to alter the use of the building from retail to residential, with proposals to create four one-bedroom apartments.
Originally the plans were for six apartments but this was scaled down to avoid a potential increase in phosphates pollution.
According to a supporting statement submitted with the planning documents, the site and building has been “part vacant for 25 to 30 years” with the last part that was occupied now vacant for the last five years.
The site has been on the market for its current use for a number of years, with no interest from any buyer or lessee taking it on for its current use, according to the agents acting on behalf of the applicant.
The planning statement added: “It is clear that the building has no long term retail/business use and will eventually become an eyesore in this central location.
“The applicant is therefore seeking to improve the building aesthetically and giving it a sustainable future use a residential development.
“This proposal consists of a conversion and extension of a vacant building to be brought into residential use, in what is a sustainable area.
“The conversion will provide much needed housing in this area, whilst also improving visual appearance and physical fabric of the building. The proposal will improve the site and its surroundings.”
According to the plans, there would be no additional parking created as part of the proposed redevelopment.
The planning statement adds: “The site is located within a town centre and therefore both public parking and sustainable transport options are available to the further occupiers.
“It is therefore considered that there will be no formal parking required as part of the proposal, however there is an area identified on the site plan that could be used for parking if deemed necessary.”
The plans have now been given the green light by council planning chiefs.
A report by council planning officer Barbara Kinnear states: “It is considered that the design of the proposed apartment block is a visual improvement to the bland 1970s building in situ.
“As the property is within the settlement boundary of Buckley its location is a sustainable development and is well served by public car parks and alternative transport provision which is compliant with policy PC2 of Flintshire Local Development Plan.
“The scale and massing of the proposal will not adversely impact upon the nature of the site and street scene compliant with policy PC2 of the Flintshire Local Development Plan.”
The report added: “It has now been demonstrated that the development would not lead to an increase in phosphorous levels in the River Dee and Bala Lake Special Area of Conservation, with no significant impact on the protected site complaint with policy EN15 Water Resources of the Flintshire Local Development Plan and Planning Policy Wales.”
By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).
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